Water birth: a systematic review and meta-analysis of maternal and neonatal outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to conduct a thorough and contemporary assessment of maternal and neonatal outcomes associated with water birth in comparison with land-based birth. DATA SOURCES: We conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, and gray literature sources, from inception to February 28, 2023. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: We included randomized and nonrandomized studies that assessed maternal and neonatal outcomes in patients who delivered either conventionally or while submerged in water. METHODS: Pooled unadjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated using a random-effects model (restricted maximum likelihood method). We assessed the 95% prediction intervals to estimate the likely range of future study results. To evaluate the robustness of the results, we calculated fragility indices. Maternal infection was designated as the primary outcome, whereas postpartum hemorrhage, perineal lacerations, obstetrical anal sphincter injury, umbilical cord avulsion, low Apgar scores, neonatal aspiration requiring resuscitation, neonatal infection, neonatal mortality within 30 days of birth, and neonatal intensive care unit admission were considered secondary outcomes. RESULTS: Of the 20,642 articles identified, 52 were included in the meta-analyses. Based on data from observational studies, water birth was not associated with increased probability of maternal infection compared with land birth (10 articles, 113,395 pregnancies; odds ratio, 0.93; 95% confidence interval, 0.76-1.14). Patients undergoing water birth had decreased odds of postpartum hemorrhage (21 articles, 149,732 pregnancies; odds ratio, 0.80; 95% confidence interval, 0.68-0.94). Neonates delivered while submerged in water had increased odds of cord avulsion (10 articles, 91,504 pregnancies; odds ratio, 1.75; 95% confidence interval, 1.38-2.24) and decreased odds of low Apgar scores (21 articles, 165,917 pregnancies; odds ratio, 0.69; 95% confidence interval, 0.58-0.82), neonatal infection (15 articles, 53,635 pregnancies; odds ratio, 0.64; 95% confidence interval, 0.42-0.97), neonatal aspiration requiring resuscitation (19 articles, 181,001 pregnancies; odds ratio, 0.60; 95% confidence interval, 0.43-0.84), and neonatal intensive care unit admission (30 articles, 287,698 pregnancies; odds ratio, 0.56; 95% confidence interval, 0.45-0.70). CONCLUSION: When compared with land birth, water birth does not appear to increase the risk of most maternal and neonatal complications. Like any other delivery method, water birth has its unique considerations and potential risks, which health care providers and expectant parents should evaluate thoroughly. However, with proper precautions in place, water birth can be a reasonable choice for mothers and newborns, in facilities equipped to conduct water births safely.

Prevalência de episiotomia em uma maternidade de referência em alto risco e seus fatores associados / Use of episiotomy in a high-risk reference maternity hospital and its associated factors

Objetivo: Analisar a prática da episiotomia em uma maternidade de alto risco e seus fatores associados. Método: Trata-se de um estudo transversal que analisou um total de 333 fichas obstétricas anexadas aos prontuários de puérperas de uma maternidade de alto risco no período de janeiro a dezembro de 2021. Os dados foram coletados de agosto a dezembro do ano de 2022. A análise foi realizada de forma descritiva, utilizando-se o teste Qui-Quadrado a fim de comparar e delinear as proporções dos grupos de amostras de interesse. Resultados: Em 5,41% (18) das parturientes, realizou-se episiotomia; 66,67% (12) tinham histórico de síndrome hipertensiva na gestação; 55,56% (10) encontravam-se na faixa etária de 20-29 anos; das parturientes, 94,44% (17) pariram em posição litotômica; 94,44% (17) eram primíparas, sem acompanhante na hora do parto, 88,89% (16); e 66,11% (11) tiveram assistência prestada por profissional médico. Conclusão: Muitas são as barreiras a serem enfrentadas para promover e ressaltar o protagonismo da mulher durante o processo de parir, as informações trazidas por este estudo permitiram concluir a continuidade da prática da episiotomia. Com isso, espera-seque o estudo contribua para mudança, readequação e sensibilização das práticas obstétricas profissionais para que ocorra uma transformação desse cenário. Descritores: Episiotomia; Enfermagem Obstétrica; Parto Normal

Objective: To analyze the practice of episiotomy in a high-risk maternity hospital and its associated factorsMethods: This is a cross-sectional study, which analyzed a total of 333 obstetric records attached to the medical records of puerperal women in a high-risk maternity hospital from January to December 2021. Data were collected from August to December 2022. The analysis was performed descriptively, using the Chi-Square test in order to compare and delineate the proportions of the groups of samples interest. Results: In 5.41% (18) of the parturients, an episiotomy was performed, 66.67% (12) had a history of hypertensive syndrome during pregnancy, 55.56% (10) were in the age group of 20-29 years, of the parturients 94.44% (17) gave birth in a lithotomic position; 94.44% (17) were primiparous, unaccompanied at the time of delivery 88.89% (16) and had assistance provided by a medical professional 66.11% (11).Conclusion: There are many barriers to be faced to promote and emphasize the role of women during the process of delivery. The information brought by this study allowed us to conclude the continuity of episiotomy practice. Thus, it is expected that the study will contribute to change, readjustment and sensitization of professional obstetric practices, so that a transformation of this scenario occurs. Descriptors: Episiotomy; Obstetric Nursing. Normal delivery.

Utilização das boas práticas no parto e experiência e satisfação materna / Using good delivery practices and maternal experience and satisfaction

Objetivo: Descrever a utilização das boas práticas de atenção ao parto e nascimento e o grau de satisfação e experiência de puérperas com o parto. Métodos: Estudo transversal, realizado no período de julho de 2017 a janeiro de 2018, em uma maternidade de referência em Fortaleza, Ceará. Para coleta de dados utilizou-se o Questionário de Experiência e Satisfação com o Parto e questionário para avaliação dos dados sociodemográficos e obstétricos. Os dados foram analisados no softwareStatistical Package for the Social Science. O estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa. Resultados: Participaram 237 puérperas com média de idade de 26 anos. 168 (70,9%) mulheres estiveram bastante satisfeitas com a estrutura da instituição, 119 (50,2%) com os cuidados profissionais prestados e 160 (67,5%) com o trabalho de parto e parto. Dentre os fatores que estiveram associados à experiência positiva com o parto, destaca-se a realização do contato pele a pele, o estímulo ao aleitamento materno e a utilização dos métodos não farmacológicos de alívio da dor. Conclusão: Para uma experiência mais positiva de parto, ressalta-se a importância de abordagens mais humanizadas que incentivem práticas como contato pele a pele e início precoce do aleitamento materno, além de garantir que profissionais de saúde forneçam cuidados holísticos. Descritores: Satisfação do Paciente; Enfermagem Obstétrica; Trabalho de Parto; PartoNormal; PartoHumanizado.

Objective:To describe the use of good practices in delivery and childbirth care and the satisfaction levels and experiences of puerperal women with their deliveries.Methods:A cross-sectional study conducted from July 2017 to January 2018 in a reference maternity hospital from Fortaleza, Ceará. The Childbirth Experience and Satisfaction Questionnaire and another one to assess the sociodemographic and obstetric data were used for data collection. The data were analyzed in the Statistical Package for the Social Science. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee. Results:The participants were 237 puerperal women with a mean age of 26 years old. 168 (70.9%) women were quite satisfied with the institution's structure, 119 (50.2%) with the professional care provided, and 160 (67.5%) with labor and delivery. Among the factors that were associated with positive experiences with delivery, the most important are skin-to-skin contact, stimulating breastfeeding, and using non-pharmacological pain relief methods. Conclusion: For a more positive experience with delivery, it is worth emphasizing the importance of more humanized approaches that encourage practices such as skin-to-skin contact and early breastfeeding initiation, as well as ensuring that health professionals provide holistic care. Descriptors:Patient Satisfaction; Obstetric Nursing; Labor. Normal Delivery; Humanized Delivery.

Prevalência de episiotomia em uma maternidade de referência em alto risco e seus fatores associados / Use of episiotomy in a high-risk reference maternity hospital and its associated factors

Objetivo: Analisar a prática da episiotomia em uma maternidade de alto risco e seus fatores associados. Método: Trata-se de um estudo transversal que analisou um total de 333 fichas obstétricas anexadas aos prontuários de puérperas de uma maternidade de alto risco no período de janeiro a dezembro de 2021. Os dados foram coletados de agosto a dezembro do ano de 2022.A análise foi realizada de forma descritiva, utilizando-se o teste Qui-Quadrado a fim de comparar e delinear as proporções dos grupos de amostras de interesse. Resultados: Em 5,41% (18) das parturientes, realizou-se episiotomia; 66,67% (12) tinham histórico de síndrome hipertensiva na gestação; 55,56% (10) encontravam-se na faixa etária de 20-29 anos; das parturientes, 94,44% (17) pariram em posição litotômica; 94,44% (17) eram primíparas, sem acompanhante na hora do parto, 88,89% (16); e 66,11% (11) tiveram assistência prestada por profissional médico. Conclusão: Muitas são as barreiras a serem enfrentadas para promover e ressaltar o protagonismo da mulher durante o processo de parir, as informações trazidas por este estudo permitiram concluir a continuidade da prática da episiotomia. Com isso, espera-seque o estudo contribua para mudança, readequação e sensibilização das práticas obstétricas profissionais para que ocorra uma transformação desse cenário. Descritores: Episiotomia; Enfermagem Obstétrica; Parto Normal.

Objective: To analyze the practice of episiotomy in a high-risk maternity hospital and its associated factorsMethods: This is a cross-sectional study, which analyzed a total of 333 obstetric records attached to the medical records of puerperal women in a high-risk maternity hospital from January to December 2021. Data were collected from August to December 2022. The analysis was performed descriptively, using the Chi-Square test in order to compare and delineate the proportions of the groups of samples of interest.Results: In 5.41% (18) of the parturients, an episiotomy was performed, 66.67% (12) had a history of hypertensive syndrome during pregnancy, 55.56% (10) were in the age group of 20-29 years, of the parturients 94.44% (17) gave birth in a lithotomic position; 94.44% (17) were primiparous, unaccompanied at the time of delivery 88.89% (16) and had assistance provided by a medical professional 66.11% (11). Conclusion: There are many barriers to be faced to promote and emphasize the role of women during the process of delivery. The information brought by this study allowed us to conclude the continuity of episiotomy practice. Thus, it is expected that the study will contribute to change, readjustment and sensitization of professional obstetric practices, so that a transformation of this scenario occurs. Descriptors: Episiotomy; Obstetric Nursing; Normal delivery.

Especificidades técnicas no tamponamento uterino com balões e algumas dificuldades técnicas / Technical specificities in uterine tamponade with balloons and some technical difficulties

A mortalidade materna é inaceitavelmente alta. A hemorragia pós-parto encontra- se na primeira posição no mundo, tendo como principal causa específica a atonia uterina. Eventualmente, as medidas iniciais e a terapia farmacológica não são efetivas no controle do sangramento, impondo a necessidade de tratamentos invasivos, cirúrgicos ou não. Entre esses, o tamponamento uterino com balão requer recursos locais mínimos e não exige treinamento extensivo ou equipamento muito complexo. Entretanto, algumas dificuldades podem ocorrer durante a inserção, infusão ou manutenção do balão na cavidade uterina, com especificidades relacionadas à via de parto. Após o parto vaginal, a dificuldade mais prevalente é o prolapso vaginal do balão. Na cesárea, as principais dificuldades são a inserção e o posicionamento do balão na cavidade uterina, principalmente nas cesáreas eletivas. Este artigo revisa e ilustra as principais dificuldades e especificidades relacionadas ao tamponamento uterino com balões.

Maternal mortality is unacceptably high. Postpartum hemorrhage is ranked first in the world, with the main specific cause being uterine atony. Eventually, initial measures and pharmacological therapy are not effective in controlling bleeding, imposing the need for invasive treatments, surgical or not. Among these, uterine balloon tamponade requires minimal local resources and does not require extensive training or very complex equipment. However, some difficulties may occur during insertion, infusion, or maintenance of the balloon in the uterine cavity, with specificities related to the mode of delivery. After vaginal delivery, the most prevalent difficulty is vaginal balloon prolapse. In cesarean section, the main difficulty is the insertion and positioning of the balloon in the uterine cavity, especially in elective cesarean sections. This article reviews and illustrates the main difficulties and specificities related to uterine balloon tamponade.

Neonatal outcomes after water birth: A retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare neonatal outcomes between water births, births with immersion only during labour, and births in which immersion was never used. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed including mother-baby dyads attended between 2009 and 2019 at the Hospital do Salnés regional hospital (Pontevedra, Spain). These women were categorised into 3 groups: water birth; immersion only during dilation; and women who never used immersion. Several sociodemographic-obstetric variables were studied and the main outcome was the admission of the neonate to the intensive care unit (NICU). Permission was obtained from the responsible provincial ethics committee. Descriptive statistics were used and between-group comparisons were performed using variance for continuous variables and chi-square for categorical variables. Multivariate analysis was performed with backward stepwise logistic regression and incidence risk ratios with 95%CI were calculated for each independent variable. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS® statistical software. RESULTS: A total of 1191 cases were included. 404 births without immersions; 397 immersions only during the first stage of labor; and 390 waterbirths were included. No differences were found in the need to transfer new-borns to a NICU (p = .735). In the waterbirth cohort, neonatal resuscitation (p < .001, OR: 0,1), as well as respiratory distress (p = .005, OR: 0,2) or neonatal problems during admission (p < .001, OR: 0,2), were lower. In the immersion only during labor cohort, less neonatal resuscitation (p = .003; OR: 0,4) and respiratory distress (p = .019; OR: 0,4) were found. The probability of not breastfeeding upon discharge was higher for the land birth cohort (p < .001, OR: 0,4). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicated that water birth did not influence the need for NICU admission, but was associated with fewer adverse neonatal outcomes, such as resuscitation, respiratory distress, or problems during admission.

[Care in a natural birth center and due compliance with national guidelines]. / O cuidado na casa de parto e sua conformidade com as diretrizes nacionais.

The scope of this article is to analyze the compliance of the care offered by Casa de Parto David Capistrano Filho-RJ with the recommendations of the National Guidelines for Care in Natural Childbirth. It involved a descriptive cross-sectional study with 952 observations, from 2014 to 2018. This included analysis of compliance using a judgment matrix and then classified as total compliance (≥75.0%), partial compliance (50.0%-74.9%), incipient compliance (49.9%-25.0%) and non-compliance (less than 24.9%). The results of the judgment matrix show that care in the aspects of labor, delivery and newborn care is in full compliance with the recommendations of the Guidelines. The care at the Casa de Parto Birth Center, conducted by obstetric nurses, follows the recommendations of the national guidelines, and has been seen to incorporate a de-medicalized, personalized form of care, which respects the physiology of childbirth. They also develop a model of their own technologies of care, constituting non-invasive technologies of obstetric nursing care.

O objetivo deste artigo é analisar a conformidade do cuidado oferecido pela Casa de Parto David Capistrano Filho-RJ às recomendações das Diretrizes Nacionais de Assistência ao Parto Normal. Estudo transversal descritivo com 952 observações, no período de 2014 a 2018. Análise de conformidade através de matriz de julgamento e classificada como conformidade total (≥75,0%), conformidade parcial (50,0%-74,9%), conformidade incipiente (49,9%-25,0%) e não conformidade (menor que 24,9%). Os resultados da matriz de julgamento mostram que o cuidado na atenção ao trabalho de parto, parto e assistência ao recém-nascido apresenta conformidade total em relação às recomendações das Diretrizes. O cuidado na Casa de Parto, conduzido por enfermeiras obstétricas, segue as recomendações das diretrizes nacionais, e vem evidenciando uma prática desmedicalizada, autônoma, que respeita a fisiologia do parto. Desenvolvem também um modelo de tecnologias próprias de cuidar, constituindo as tecnologias não invasivas de cuidado de enfermagem obstétrica.

The perfect birth: a content analysis of midwives' posts about birth on Instagram.

BACKGROUND: There is limited research into how midwives use social media within their professional role. Small pilot studies have explored the introduction of social media into maternity practice and teaching but there is little evidence around how midwives use social media professionally. This is important as 89% of pregnant women turn to social media for advice during pregnancy, and how midwives use social media could be influencing women, their perception of birth and their decision making. METHODS: AIM: To analyse how popular midwives portray birth on the social media platform Instagram. This is an observational mixed methods study using content analysis. Five 'popular' midwives from each country (UK, New Zealand, USA and Australia) were identified and their posts about birth collated from a one-year period (2020-21). Images/videos were then coded. Descriptive statistics enabled comparison of the posts by country. Categorisation was used to analyse and understand the content. RESULTS: The study identified 917 posts from the 20 midwives' accounts, containing 1216 images/videos, with most coming from USA (n = 466), and UK (n = 239), Australia (n = 205) and New Zealand (n = 7) respectively. Images/videos were categorised into 'Birth Positivity', 'Humour', 'Education', 'Birth Story' and 'Advertisement'. Midwives' portrayals of birth represented a greater proportion of vaginal births, waterbirths and homebirths than known national birth statistics. The most popular midwives identified mainly had private businesses (n = 17). Both the midwives and women portrayed in images were primarily white, demonstrating a disproportionate representation. CONCLUSION: There is a small midwifery presence on Instagram that is not representative of the broader profession, or the current picture of midwifery care. This paper is the first study to explore how midwives are using the popular social media platform Instagram to portray birth. It provides insight into how midwives post an un-medicalised, low risk representation of birth. Further research is recommended to explore midwives' motivation behind their posts, and how pregnant and postnatal women engage with social media.

Medicalização da assistência ao parto normal: Perfil de gestantes atendidas em uma maternidade de risco habitual / Medicalización de la asistencia del parto natural: Perfil de las mujeres embarazadas atendidas en una maternidad de bajo riesgo / Medicalization of natural childbirth assistance: Profile of pregnancies women in a low-risk maternity hospital

Introdução: O nascimento tem experimentado mudanças na compreensão do parto como processo natural, tornando-o passível de intervenções, como as relacionadas a abreviação do parto através do uso de medicamentos. Objetivo: Descrever o perfil da assistência às gestantes, verificando a prevalência do uso de medicamentos, instrumentos e protocolos, durante o trabalho de parto e parto, em maternidade pública de saúde, destinada à assistência a gestantes de risco habitual. Método: Estudo transversal, descritivo, exploratório e quantitativo, com população por conveniência (n=26 profissionais de saúde). Foram investigadas as características sociodemográficas dos enfermeiros e médicos que prestavam assistência direta ao parto, além daquelas relativas ao uso de medicamentos, instrumentos e protocolos. Os dados foram tabulados no Epiinfo 7.2.2.2, sendo realizada análise estatística descritiva. Resultados: Observou-se que 53,8% são enfermeiros obstetras e 46,2% médicos obstetras. Dentre os entrevistados: 65,4% asseguraram preencher sempre ou quase sempre o partograma, 61,6% aplicam sempre ou quase sempre o índice de Bishop, 57,7% fazem uso de medicamentos para induzir o parto. A prevalência de profissionais que afirmaram não existir protocolos assistenciais ao parto na instituição somou 80,8%. Conclusão: O presente estudo foi relevante para demonstrar que a maioria dos profissionais não usavam medicamentos aceleradores do trabalho de parto; consideravam a integridade das membranas antes da indução medicamentosa, com maior prevalência de uso da ocitocina em relação ao misoprostol nos casos de necessidade de indução com iguais condições do colo uterino. A maior parte dos profissionais afirmou ainda fazer uso de protocolos de assistência ao parto, embora não fossem os institucionais.

Introducción: El nacimiento ha experimentado cambios en la comprensión del parto como un proceso natural, haciéndolo susceptible de intervenciones, como las relacionadas con la abreviación del parto mediante el uso de medicamentos. Objetivo: Describir el perfil de atención de la gestante, para verificar la prevalencia del uso de medicamentos, instrumentos y protocolos durante el trabajo de parto y parto en una maternidad de la red pública de salud, destinada a la asistencia de gestantes de riesgo habitual. Método: Estudio transversal, descriptivo, exploratorio y cuantitativo con población (n=26 profesionales de la salud). Se investigaron las características sociodemográficas de profesionales de enfermería y profesionales médicos que ofrecían asistencia directa durante el parto, además de las relacionadas con el uso de medicamentos, instrumentos y protocolos. Los datos se tabularon en el programa Epiinfo 7.2.2.2 y se realizó el análisis estadístico descriptivo. Resultados: Se observó que el 53.8 % son personal de enfermería obstetricia y el 46.2 % son obstetras. Entre las entrevistadas, el 65.4 % aseguró que siempre o casi siempre completaba el partograma, el 61.6 % siempre o casi siempre aplicaba el índice de Bishop, el 57.7 % utilizaba medicación para inducir el parto. La prevalencia de profesionales que afirmaron que no existían protocolos de atención del parto en la institución fue de 80.8 %. Conclusión: El presente estudio fue relevante para demostrar que la mayoría de los profesionales no utilizaban fármacos para acelerar el trabajo de parto, consideraron la integridad de las membranas antes de la inducción medicamentosa, con mayor prevalencia de uso de oxitocina, en relación al misoprostol en casos de necesidad de inducción con las mismas condiciones del cuello uterino. La mayoría de los profesionales dijeron que todavía hacen uso de los protocolos de atención al parto, aunque no sean institucionales.

Introduction: Birth has experienced changes in the understanding of childbirth as a natural process, making it amenable to interventions, such as those related to shorten the labor time by medication. Objective: To describe the prevalence of the use of drugs, instruments, and protocols in the labor and delivery profile of assistance in a public maternity hospital that nurses low risk pregnancies. Method: This is a cross-sectional, descriptive, exploratory, and quantitative study with population (n=26 health professionals). The sociodemographic characteristics of nurses and doctors who provide direct assistance during childbirth were analyzed in addition to those related to the use of medications, instruments, and protocols. Data were tabulated in the Epiinfo 7.2.2.2 program; then, a descriptive statistical analysis was performed. Results: It was observed that 53.8% are obstetric nurses and 46.2% are obstetricians. Among the interviewees: 65.4% assured that they always or almost always completed the partograph, 61.6% always or almost always applied the Bishop index, 57.7% used medication to induce labor. The prevalence of professionals who stated that there were no childbirth care protocols in the institution totaled 80.8%. Conclusion: The present study was relevant to demonstrate that most professionals did not use drugs for labor induction; they considered the integrity of the membranes before these drugs; and, when induction was needed, there was a higher prevalence of the use of oxytocin in relation to misoprostol in cases with the same conditions of the uterine cervix. Most professionals said that they still use childbirth care protocols although they are not institutional.

Spiritual Experiences of Portuguese Women Who had a Water Birth.

This study aimed to understand the significance of spirituality to Portuguese women who had a water birth. In-depth interviews, using a semi-structured questionnaire, were conducted with 24 women who experienced water birth at the hospital or home. Results were analyzed from a narrative interpretation perspective. Three spirituality-related categories emerged: (1) Beliefs and connections with the body; (2) Spirituality: integration of being a woman and transformation during birth; and (3) Spirituality as wisdom, intuition, or the sixth sense. Spirituality was perceived in women's faith and beliefs in a superior being that helped them manage the unpredictability and uncontrollability of giving birth.

Midwives' Perception Regarding Conditions Influencing the Implementation of the Natural Childbirth Promotion Program in Iran: A Qualitative Study.

Background: In Iran, the Natural Childbirth Promotion Program (NCPP) has been implemented as a component of the Health Transformation Plan (HTP) since 2014 and as an attempt to encourage natural childbirth practices and reduce cesarean section rates. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of midwives about conditions influencing the implementation of NCPP. Methods: In this qualitative study, data were collected through 21 in-depth semi-structured individual interviews with expert midwives who were selected using purposive sampling mainly from one medical university in Eastern Iran from October 2019 to February 2020. Based on the framework method as a thematic analysis approach, the data were analyzed manually. To enhance the rigor of the study, we followed Lincoln and Guba's criteria. Results: Data analysis yielded 546 open codes. After the codes were reviewed and similar codes were removed, there remained 195 codes. Further analysis led to extraction of 81 sub-sub themes, 19 sub-themes, and eight main themes. These themes included: Responsive staff; Characteristics of the parturient; Recognition of midwifery role; Teamwork; The birthing environment; Effective management; Institutional and social context; and Social education. Conclusion: Based on the perceptions of the studied midwives, the success of the NCPP is guaranteed by a set of conditions identified in this study. In practice, these conditions are complementary and interrelated, and they cover a wide range of staff and parturient characteristics to the social context. It seems that effective implementation of the NCPP also calls for the accountability of all stakeholders, from policymakers to maternity care providers.

Conhecimento das puérperas em relação ao parto humanizado e às vias de parto / Knowledge of puerperal women towards humanized delivery and modes of delivery

Objetivo: Avaliar o conhecimento das puérperas em relação ao parto humanizado e às vias de parto. Métodos: Estudo observacional transversal com 369 puérperas que realizaram seu parto em um hospital público de Curitiba, Paraná, Brasil. Aplicação de dois questionários que avaliaram características demográficas e socioeconômicas, informações sobre a gestação e o pré-natal, conhecimento de humanização e vias de parto, e atitude em relação às vias de parto. Resultados: Entre as puérperas, 72% afirmaram já terem ouvido falar no termo "parto humanizado", porém, dessas, 52,6% deram uma definição inadequada. E 48,2% obtiveram baixo conhecimento acerca das vias de parto, e 58,2% expressaram atitude positiva em relação à cesárea. Houve associação entre conhecimento prévio sobre parto humanizado e renda (p = 0,001), escolaridade (p < 0,0001), número de consultas de pré-natal (p = 0,023), busca de informações sobre as vias de parto (p < 0,0001) e preferência de parto (p = 0,011). Houve correlação do conhecimento acerca das vias de parto com renda (p = 0,044), escolaridade (p = 0,003), busca de informações sobre as vias de parto (p = 0,007) e atitude em relação à cesárea (p < 0,0001). Conclusão: Observou-se baixo conhecimento acerca das vias de parto e parto humanizado, e características como renda, escolaridade, busca por informações de forma independente e número de consultas de pré-natal possuem associação com esses conhecimentos. Um pré-natal com adequada transmissão de conhecimento relaciona-se à preferência pelo parto normal, sendo essa uma estratégia para a redução das taxas de cesárea e, consequentemente, da morbimortalidade materno-fetal.

Objective: To evaluate the knowledge of postpartum women in relation to humanized del ivery and delivery methods. Methods: Cross-sectional observational study with 369 postpartum women who delivered in a public hospital in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil. Application of two questionnaires, which evaluated demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, information about pregnancy and prenatal care, knowledge of humanization and delivery methods, attitude towards delivery methods. Results: 72% of postpartum women said they had already heard the term "humanized childbirth", however, of these 52.6% gave an inadequate definition. 48.2% had low knowledge about delivery methods. 58.2% expressed a positive attitude towards cesarean section. There was an association between prior knowledge about humanized childbirth and income (p = 0.001), schooling (p < 0.0001), number of prenatal consultations (p = 0.023), search for information about delivery methods (p < 0 .0001), birth preference (p = 0.011). There was a correlation between knowledge about the modes of delivery with income (p = 0.044), education (p = 0.003), search for information about the modes of delivery (p = 0.007), attitude towards cesarean section (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: There was a low knowledge about the ways of delivery and humanized delivery, and characteristics such as income, education, search for information independently and the number of prenatal consultations have an association with this knowledge. A prenatal care with adequate transmission of knowledge is related to the preference for normal delivery, which is a strategy for reducing cesarean rates and, consequently, maternal-fetal morbidity and mortality.

Evolución de la cesárea en Colombia y su asociación con la naturaleza jurídica de la institución donde se atiende el parto / Evolution of cesarean sections in Colombia and its association with the legal standing of the institutions where deliveries take place

RESUMEN Objetivos: Describir la evolución de la frecuencia de la cesárea en Colombia a partir de 1998, tanto global como discriminada según la naturaleza jurídica de las instituciones prestadoras de salud (IPS) donde se atienden los partos, y calcular la magnitud de la asociación entre la naturaleza jurídica de la IPS y la realización de cesáreas entre 2015 y 2017. Materiales y métodos: Estudio de corte transversal que describe la frecuencia de partos por cesárea entre los años 1998 y 2020, y un componente analítico para estimar la asociación entre la naturaleza jurídica y la vía del parto entre los años 2015 y 2017, a partir de las bases de registros de nacimientos del Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estadística (DANE) de Colombia. Se presentan las proporciones de cesárea por año y el incremento en la proporción de cesárea por tipo de institución; como estimador de esta asociación se utilizó la razón de prevalencia. Resultados: En 1998, la proporción de cesárea fue 25,7 %, incrementó hasta 46,4 % en 2015 y descendió a 44,6 % para 2020. A partir de 1998, la proporción de cesárea en las IPS públicas pasó de 26,2 a 42,9 % para el año 2014 y en las privadas de 45,0 a 57,7 % para el año 2013. La razón de prevalencia de la cesárea de las instituciones privadas con respecto a las públicas fue 1,57 (IC 95 %: 1,56-1,57). Conclusiones: Después de un periodo largo de incremento sostenido, se está presentando una disminución en la proporción de cesáreas en el país; las IPS públicas incrementaron estos procedimientos en mayor proporción durante la mayor parte del tiempo estudiado y en las IPS privadas se realizan con mayor frecuencia a todos los subgrupos de mujeres. Se deberá evaluar en el futuro, mediante metodologías más robustas, si el descenso en la frecuencia de cesárea es una tendencia real o secular.

ABSTRACT Objectives: To describe how the frequency of cesarean section has evolved in Colombia since 1998, both in overall terms as well as discriminated according to the legal standing of the healthcare providers (IPSs) where delivery takes place, and to estimate the size of the association between the legal standing of the institutions and the performance of cesarean sections between 2015 and 2017. Material and methods: A cross-sectional cohort study that describes the frequency of cesarean deliveries between 1998 and 2020, plus an analytical component to estimate the association between the legal nature and the route of delivery between 2015 and 2017, based on the birth records of the Colombian National Statistics Administrative Department (DANE). Proportions of cesarean sections and their increase by institution type are presented. The prevalence ratio was used as an estimator of this association. Results: In 1998, the proportion of cesarean deliveries was 25.7 %; it increased to 46.4 % by 2015 and then dropped to 44.6 % by 2020. After 1998, the proportion of cesarean sections in public hospitals increased from 26.2 % to 42.9 % by 2014, while in private providers it increased from 45.0 % to 57.7 % by 2013. The prevalence ratio of cesarean sections in private versus public institutions was 1.57 (95 % CI: 1.56-1.57). Conclusions: After a long period of sustained growth, there is now a reduction in the proportion of cesarean sections in the country. In public health care institutions, these procedures increased in greater proportion during most of the study period, while in private healthcare providers they are carried out at a higher frequency in all subgroups of women. It will be necessary to evaluate in the future, using more robust methodologies, whether the decrease in the frequency of cesarean section is a real or secular trend.

Evaluation and Comparison of Respiratory Muscular Strength, Functionality, and Pelvic Floor in the Immediate Postpartum of Normal and Cesarean Birth / Avaliação e comparação da força muscular respiratória, funcionalidade, e de assoalho pélvico no puerpério imediato de parto normal e cesárea

Abstract Objective: To evaluate and compare peripheral, pelvic floor, respiratory muscle strength, and functionality in the immediate puerperium of normal delivery and cesarean section. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that verified respiratory, pelvic floor, peripheral, and functional muscle strength through manovacuometry, pelvic floor functional assessment (PFF), dynamometry, and the Time Up and Go (TUG) test, respectively. The groups were divided according to the type of delivery, into a cesarean section group and a normal parturition group. Results: The sample was composed of 72 postpartum puerperae, 36 of normal parturition, and 36 of cesarean section, evaluated before hospital discharge, mean age ranged from 25.56 ± 6.28 and 28.57 ± 6.47 years in puerperae of normal parturition and cesarean section respectively. Cesarean showed higher pelvic floor strength (PFF) compared to normal parturition (p < 0.002), but puerperae from normal delivery showed better functionality (p < 0.001). As for peripheral muscle strength and respiratory muscle strength, there was no significance when comparing the types of parturirion. Conclusion: There is a reduction in pelvic muscle strength in puerperae of normal delivery and a decrease in functionality in puerperae of cesarean section.

Resumo Objetivo: Avaliar e comparar o pavimento pélvico periférico, a força muscular respiratória e a funcionalidade no puerpério imediato do parto normal e da cesariana. Métodos: Este é um estudo transversal que verificou a força muscular respiratória, pavimento pélvico, periférico e funcional através da manovacuometria, avaliação funcional do pavimento pélvico (PFF), dinamometria, e o teste Time Up e Go (TUG), respectivamente. Os grupos foram divididos de acordo com o tipo de parto, num grupo de cesariana e num grupo de parto normal. Resultados: A amostra foi composta por 72 puérperas pós-parto, 36 de parto normal e 36 de cesariana, avaliados antes da alta hospitalar, a idade média variou entre 25,56 ± 6,28 e 28,57 ± 6,47 anos em puérperas de parto normal e cesariana, respectivamente. A cesariana mostrou maior resistência do pavimento pélvico (TFP) em comparação com o parto normal (p < 0,002), mas as puérperas de parto normal mostraram melhor funcionalidade (p < 0,001). Quanto à força muscular periférica e à força muscular respiratória, não houve significado ao comparar os tipos de parto. Conclusão: Há uma redução da força muscular pélvica em puérperas de parto normal e uma diminuição da funcionalidade em puérperas de cesarianas.

A prospective cohort study comparing neonatal outcomes of waterbirth and land birth in an Australian tertiary maternity unit.

BACKGROUND: Maternal preference for warm water immersion (WWI) and waterbirth is increasing, but adoption into obstetric guidelines and clinical practice remains limited. Concerns regarding safety and a paucity of evidence have been cited as reasons for the limited adoption and uptake. AIM: The aim was to investigate maternal and neonatal outcomes after WWI and/or waterbirth compared with land birth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted in an Australian public maternity hospital between 2019 and 2020. Maternal and neonatal outcomes for 1665 women who had a vaginal birth were studied. Primary outcome was admission to the neonatal unit (NNU). Secondary outcomes included neonatal antibiotic administration, maternal intrapartum fever, epidural use and perineal injury. Multivariate logistical regression analyses compared the outcomes between three groups: waterbirth, WWI only and land birth. RESULTS: NNU admissions for a suspected infectious condition were significantly higher in the land birth group (P = 0.035). After accounting for labour duration, epidural use and previous birth mode, no significant difference was detected between groups in the odds of NNU admission (P = 0.167). No babies were admitted to NNU with water inhalation or drowning. Women birthing on land were more likely to be febrile (2 vs 0%; P = 0.007); obstetric anal sphincter injury and postpartum haemorrhage were similar between groups. Regional analgesia use was significantly lower in the WWI group compared to the land birth group (21.02 vs 38.58%; P = <0.001). There was one cord avulsion in the waterbirth group (0.41%). CONCLUSION: Maternal and neonatal outcomes were similar between groups, with no increased risk evident in the waterbirth and WWI groups.

Motivações para escolha do parto domiciliar planejado / Motivos para elegir el parto a domicilio previsto / Motivations for choosing planned home birth

Objetivo: compreender as motivações das mulheres na escolha do parto domiciliar planejado e as percepções dessa vivência. Método: estudo descritivo, exploratório e qualitativo, desenvolvido com 14 mulheres que vivenciaram um parto domiciliar planejado entre janeiro de 2019 e dezembro de 2020. As entrevistas foram realizadas entre março e maio de 2021, transcritas na íntegra e submetidas à análise de conteúdo. Resultados: a análise possibilitou compreender que as motivações para escolha do parto domiciliar planejado estiveram relacionadas ao sentimento de medo das práticas obstétricas hospitalares. A segurança no ambiente domiciliar, a garantia da autonomia e a possibilidade da presença dos filhos foram tanto motivações como percepções positivas dessa vivência. A resistência por parte da sociedade foi frequentemente vivenciada. Conclusão: o modelo obstétrico vigente precisa ser repensado e readequado, com vistas à oferta assistência ao parto segura e respeitosa, seja em âmbito domiciliar ou hospitalar.

Objetivo: comprender las motivaciones de las mujeres en la elección del parto domiciliario planeado y las percepciones de esa vivencia. Método: estudio descriptivo, exploratorio y cualitativo, desarrollado con 14 mujeres que experimentaron un parto domiciliario planeado entre enero de 2019 y diciembre de 2020. Las entrevistas se realizaron entre marzo y mayo de 2021, transcritas en su totalidad y sometidas al análisis de contenido. Resultados: el análisis permitió comprender que las motivaciones para la elección del parto domiciliar planeado estuvieron relacionadas con el sentimiento de miedo de las prácticas obstétricas hospitalarias. La seguridad en el ambiente domiciliario, la garantía de la autonomía y la posibilidad de la presencia de los hijos fueron tanto motivaciones como percepciones positivas de esa vivencia. La resistencia por parte de la sociedad fue frecuentemente experimentada. Conclusión: el modelo obstétrico vigente necesita ser repensado y readequado, con vistas a la oferta asistencia al parto segura y respetuosa, sea en ámbito domiciliar u hospitalario.

Objective to understand the motivations of women in choosing the planned home birth and the perceptions of this experience. Method: descriptive, exploratory and qualitative study, developed with 14 women who experienced a planned home birth between January 2019 and December 2020. The interviews were conducted between March and May 2021, transcribed in full and submitted to content analysis. Results: the allowed understanding that the motivations for choosing planned home birth were related to the feeling of fear of hospital obstetric practices. Safety in the home environment, the guarantee of autonomy and the possibility of the presence of children were both motivations and positive perceptions of this experience. Resistance on the part of society was often experienced. Conclusion: the current obstetric model needs to be rethought and readjusted, in order to provide safe and respectful birth, whether at home or in the hospital.

A identidade da enfermagem obstétrica no centro de parto normal / La identidad de la enfermería obstétrica en el bentro de parto normal / The obstetrical nursing identity in a Birth Center

Resumo Objetivo compreender a identidade da enfermagem obstétrica no campo de sua atuação no Centro de Parto Normal. Método estudo descritivo-exploratório, com abordagem qualitativa. Realizaram-se entrevistas semiestruturadas, entre março e agosto de 2022, com 09 enfermeira obstetras do Centro de Parto Normal Haydeê Pereira Sena, Pará, Brasil. Usaram-se análise de conteúdo e discussão com base na identidade de Claude Dubar. Resultados emergiram duas categorias: A identidade profissional: uma questão de construção social, que retrata o âmbito social da construção da identidade pelas experiências como estudante e como enfermeira e suas relações no processo de trabalho; e A identidade da enfermagem obstétrica no campo de sua atuação no Centro de Parto Normal, favorecendo a humanização, as evidências científicas para a autonomia da mulher, que somente é propiciada pela política estruturante do Centro de Parto, e os enfrentamentos com outras classes profissionais, para garantir e legitimar a atuação da enfermeira obstetra. Conclusão e implicações para a prática a compreensão da identidade profissional das enfermeiras no Centro de Parto Normal é o ponto central para garantir a sua valorização e sua atuação com respeito, legitimando seu direito, pois, com a identidade alicerçada, garantem-se maior qualidade e mudanças no modelo hegemônico obstétrico.

Resumen Objetivo comprender la identidad de la enfermería obstétrica en el campo de su actuación en el Centro de Parto Normal. Método estudio descriptivo-exploratorio con abordaje cualitativo. Se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas entre marzo y agosto de 2022 con 09 enfermeras obstétricas del Centro de Parto Normal Haydeê Pereira Sena, Pará, Brasil. Se utilizó el análisis de contenido y la discusión a partir de la identidad de Claude Dubar. Resultados surgieron dos categorías: Identidad profesional: una cuestión de construcción social, que retrata el alcance social de la construcción de la identidad a través de las experiencias como estudiante y como enfermero y sus relaciones en el proceso de trabajo; y La identidad de la enfermería obstétrica en el campo de su actuación en el Centro de Parto Normal, favoreciendo la humanizaciónevidencia científica para la autonomía de la mujer, que sólo es proporcionada por la política estructurante del Centro de Parto, y confrontaciones con otras clases profesionales, para garantizar y legitimar el trabajo de las enfermeras obstétrica. Conclusión e implicaciones para la práctica comprender la identidad profesional de las enfermeras del Centro Normal de Parto es el punto central para garantizar su valoración y su desempeño con respeto, legitimando sus derechos, ya que con una identidad sólida se garantiza mayor calidad y cambios en el modelo obstétrico hegemónico.

Abstract Objective to understand obstetrical nursing identity in the area of its performance in a Birth Center. Method a descriptive-exploratory study with a qualitative approach. Semi-structured interviews were carried out between March and August 2022 with 09 nurse-midwives from the Centro de Parto Normal Haydeê Pereira Sena, Pará, Brazil. Content analysis and discussion based on Claude Dubar's identity were used. Results two categories emerged: Professional identity: a matter of social construction, which portrays the social scope of identity construction through experiences as a student and as a nurse and their relationships in the work process; and The identity of obstetrical nursing in the field of its performance in a Birth Center, favoring humanization, scientific evidence for women's autonomy, which is only provided by the birth center's structuring policy, and coping with other professional classes, to guarantee and legitimize nurse-midwives' work. Conclusion and implications for practice understanding nurses' professional identity in the birth center is the central point to ensure their appreciation and their performance with respect, legitimizing their right, because, with a solid identity, greater quality and changes in the hegemonic obstetric model are guaranteed.

Characteristics of women who underwent one or more previous cesarean sections according to Nascer no Brasil / Características de mulheres com uma ou mais cesáreas anteriores no nascer no Brasil

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To descriptively analyze Brazilian parturient women who underwent previous cesarean section and point out the factors associated with Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC) in Brazil. METHODS The study used data from women with one, two, or three or more cesarean sections from the survey Nascer no Brasil (Birth in Brazil). Differences between categories were assessed through the chi-square test (χ2). Variables with significant differences (p < 0.05) were incorporated into logistic regression. FINDINGS Out of the total of 23,894 women, 20.9% had undergone a previous cesarean section. The majority (85.1%) underwent another cesarean section, with 75.5% occurring before the onset of labor. The rate of Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC) was 14.9%, with a success rate of 60.8%. Women who underwent three or more cesarean sections displayed greater social vulnerability. The chances of VBAC were higher among those who opted for a vaginal birth towards the end of gestation, had a prior vaginal birth, underwent labor induction, were admitted with over 4 centimeters of dilation, and without partner. Receiving care from the private health care system, having two or more prior cesarean sections, obstetric complications, and deciding on cesarean delivery late in gestation reduced the chances of VBAC. Age group, educational background, prenatal care adequacy, and the reason for the previous cesarean section did not result in significant differences. CONCLUSION The majority of women who underwent a previous cesarean section in Brazil are directed towards another surgery, and a higher number of cesarean sections is linked to greater social inequality. Factors associated with VBAC included choosing vaginal birth towards the end of gestation, having had a previous vaginal birth, higher cervical dilation upon admission, induction, assistance from the public health care system, absence of obstetric complications, and without a partner. Efforts to promote VBAC are necessary to reduce overall cesarean rates and their repercussions on maternal and child health.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Analisar descritivamente as parturientes brasileiras com cesariana anterior e apontar os fatores associados ao parto vaginal após cesárea (Vaginal Birht After Cesarean- VBAC) no Brasil. MÉTODOS Foram utilizados dados de mulheres com uma, duas ou três e mais cesáreas da pesquisa Nascer no Brasil. As diferenças entre categorias foram avaliadas pelo teste de qui-quadrado (χ2). As variáveis que apresentaram diferença significativa (< 0,05) foram incluídas em regressão logística. RESULTADOS Do total de 23.894 mulheres, 20,9% tinham cesárea anterior. A maior parte (85,1%) foi submetida a outra cesárea, 75,5% antes do início do trabalho de parto. A porcentagem de VBAC foi de 14,9%, uma taxa de sucesso de 60,8%. Mulheres com três cesáreas ou mais apresentaram maior vulnerabilidade social. As chances de VBAC foram maiores entre aquelas decididas pelo parto vaginal no fim da gestação, com parto vaginal anterior, indução de parto, admitidas com mais de 4 centímetros de dilatação e sem companheiro. Assistência no sistema privado, ter duas cesáreas ou mais, complicações obstétricas e decisão por cesariana no final da gestação diminuíram as chances de VBAC. Faixa etária, escolaridade, adequação do pré-natal e razão da cesárea anterior não apresentaram diferença significativa. CONCLUSÃO A maior parte das mulheres com cesárea anterior no Brasil é encaminhada para uma nova cirurgia, e o maior número de cesáreas está associado à maior iniquidade social. Os fatores associados ao VBAC foram decisão pelo parto vaginal no fim da gestação, parto vaginal anterior, maior dilatação cervical na internação, indução, atendimento no sistema público de saúde, ausência de complicações obstétricas e ausência de companheiro. São necessárias ações de estímulo ao VBAC, visando reduzir taxas globais de cesarianas e suas consequências para a saúde materno-infantil.